Excerpts
from Toronto Star
A community that came together in its fear is united
once again in sorrow. The discovery of Cecilia Zhang's
remains in a wooded area in Mississauga on the weekend,
more than five months after she disappeared, dashed
all remaining hopes that the 9-year-old would return
safely to her family. For full text click
here.

W
ho are the working poor ? - From: http://www.cbc.ca/paidtobepoor/
According to the 2001 census data, the average income for
a Canadian working all year at a full-time job is $43,231.
According to that same data there are 1.4 million Canadians
working full-time jobs who make less than $20,000 a year.
According to a study
released March 26, 2004, by Statistics
Canada, less than one half of Canadian workers who had
a low-paying job in 1996 had managed to climb out of it
by 2001. The study, which used
data from the Survey
of Labour and Income Dynamics, showed that in December
1996, nearly one-third of Canadian workers, or about 1.7
million people, were in low-paying jobs."The 53 per cent
of workers (around 900,000) who remained ‘trapped’
in low-paid work in 2001 tended to be older women and those
who had only high school education or less. Such individuals
were more likely to be working part time for small, non-unionized
organizations."
-Taken from Low-paid
Employment and "Moving Up."

How
do minorities fare in corporate Canada?
Canadian Business magazine (in partnership with OMNI Television)
reveals first-ever look at 50 great workplaces for visible
minorities TORONTO, March 29 /CNW/
- Canadian Business magazine, in partnership with OMNI Television,
today released the first list of top workplaces for visible
minorities. There are approximately four million visible
minorities in Canada, and they are important players in
the workforce. While it may be expected that many companies
are embracing diversity, the reasons for doing so surprise.
For full
text click here.

Oh
Canada! Study Reveals that Toronto's Working Poor Fare No
Better than in the U.S.
- Daily Bread Food Bank Releases Startling Report on Canada's
Working Poor - TORONTO, March 29 /CNW/
- A report released by The Daily Bread Food Bank at the
launch of their annual Spring Food Drive shows that American-style
social problems are now creeping into Canada's largest city.
The report "Working to be Poor: Employment and Food
Bank Use in the GTA" shows that the percentage of food
bank clients in Greater Toronto with at least one family
member in the work force is virtually identical to numbers
reported by food
banks in the United States. It also shows that the problem
of working adults being unable to afford basics such as
food is far worse than food banks originally thought. For
full text click
here.

Ontario's
new interim electricity prices take effect April 1
OEB to take over pricing mechanism by May 1, 2005 QUEEN'S PARK, ON, March
31 /CNW/ - The Ontario government's new interim electricity
pricing structure, which will replace the current 4.3 cent
per kilowatt hour (kWh) price cap, goes into April 1 , 2004
Residential, low-volume and other designated consumers will
pay 4.7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the first 750
kilowatt hours (kWh) consumed per month, and 5.5 cents per
kWh for consumption above that level. This structure will
also apply to consumers in condominiums, apartments, co-ops
and other multi-unit premises.To read more click
here.

News
Clips from Goaby
Joel D'Souza & Fred Noronha

For
two seats alone
Enthusiasm is still lukewarm among Goans as far as the forthcoming
parliamentary poll scheduled for 26 April is concerned.
Unlike the Goa Assembly polls, the parliamentary elections
do not excite the Goan electorate much, perhaps because
it is just a case of sending merely two Goans to the Indian
parliament, the Lok Sabha. For
full text click here.

Neri
installed Archbishop

Archbishop
Filipe Neri Ferrao was installed as the 34th Archbishop
of Goa and Daman in a solemn religious ceremony attended
by over 10,000 faithful, religious leaders and others
at the Se Cathedral in Old Goa on March 21. Apostolic
Nuncio to India and Nepal, Archbishop Pedro Lopez
Quintana, installed the Archbishop-designate in his
episcopal seat and outgoing Archbishop Raul Gonsalves
handed over the crozier (episcopal staff) to Ferrao
at the ceremony preceding the Eucharistic celebration.
For
full text click here.

For
and against ‘IFFI’
Following a stir by the NGOs, led by People’s Movement
for Civic Action, regarding plans for infrastructure development
vis-à-vis the International Film Festival of India
2004, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assured to provide
information to non-governmental organisations, who have
sought detailed project reports and technical documentation
to citizens on the infrastructure development related to
the holding of International Film Festival of India 2004,
within the next fortnight. For
full text click here.

BSNL
cuts long distance call rates
Despite fall in revenue per line, BSNL yesterday announced
a sharp cut in long distance call rates and reported more
than 100 per cent increase in net profit for the just concluded
fiscal year. Up to 25 per cent reduction in ISD rates for
the US, Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asian countries,
Gulf region, Africa and SAARC nations by the country’s
largest telecom operator will be effected from 10 April.
Inter-circle STD rates from fixed lines beyond 200 km will
also be slashed by 25 per cent from the same date.

“Spying”
on politicians probe
A two-member committee set up by the Election Commission
to conduct a probe into the controversial memo episode quizzed
several government officials vis-à-vis the complaints
of violation of the model code of conduct yesterday. For
full text click here.

Our Lady of
the Rosary Church (parish hall) 2950 Midland Ave,Scarborough
(just south of Finch Ave)

The inaugural
meeting was held on Wednesday November 26,2003,
to form a seniors group (55+) serving the Scarborough/Pickering/Ajax/Markham/Thornhill/North
York /Richmond Hill and York Region

The Steering
Committee resulting from the meeting will be holding
an enrolment/election meeting on April, 23rd, 2004
@ 7.30 p.m for the following:

to
enroll members

to review and comment on the constitution of the
organization

to elect the first Executive Committee

to
plan activities and events.

Potential
members have to pay a fee to be eligible to vote.
The figure decided was $10 per person as an entrance
fee and it will be non-refundable. A membership fee
will also be charged and the membership year for 2004
will be from the Spring meeting to December.

Fund
Raising Dinner Dance for Alison De Silva (now in recovery
from a rare medical disorder)

Organised
by

"THAT'S
WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR"

A fund
raising dinner-dance for this amazing 17-year-old
is the daughter of John and Rolina and sister to
Caroline. In July 2000, at the age of 14, she contracted
and was stricken with a rare disorder. She was rushed
to the Hospital for Sick Kids on January 19, 2003
in critical condition. She has made miraculous progress
and was discharged February 23, 2004. She is not
completely "out of the woods" and is determined
to fight this illness. Proceeds from this function
will help in much needed equipment and home care.Alison
will be attending to personally thanks everyone
for your kindness and support.
LA SUHAAG BANQUET HALL75 HEDGEDALE ROAD, BRAMPTON,
ON Time: 6:00 P.M-1: 00 A.M Cocktails :6:30 P.M Dinner :7:30 P.M
Music by Naked Flame & DJ Carlito k&Live
Entertainment Door and raffle prizes (Donations
& prizes are welcome) Cost: $30 per person (tables of
ten)
Book early to avoid disappointment For Tickets contact:
Delfine or Norman Da Costa 905-452-1295
For flier see http://www.goanvoice.ca/2004/issue5/miracles.htm

The
Gospel of John Comes to Canada
TORONTO, March 29 /CNW/ - The Canadian Bible Society has
teamed up with Visual Bible International, producer of the
critically acclaimed film, The Gospel of John, to bring
the film to Canada's Christian community. The film, hailed
as "superior to almost all religious films ever made"
by the Toronto Sun and "a handsome, polished production
with textual integrity" by the Globe and Mail, is a
word for word adaptation of the Good News Translation of
the Bible.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Bible Society becomes
the exclusive distributor of The Gospel of John on DVD and
VHS to the Christian community in Canada, and can negotiate
licensing arrangements with churches for public showings
of the film. For
full text click
here.

He
lives in his Father's House
Priest from India joyfully recounts his spiritual journeyBy
RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Father
Alfredo Pereira was about 10 years old when he entered
a minor seminary in the Indian state of Goa, a tourist
destination that houses the relics of St. Francis
Xavier, the state's patron saint.
Becoming a priest was part of a deal the lonely young
lad had made with God in exchange for his mother's
return. For
full text click
here.

16
used & new from $3.25 from www.amazon.ca
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
This book is a rare and authentic collection of the
finest Goan recipes. Starting with exotic Goan cocktails
and appetizers to set the mood, the book moves on to
savour fish, poultry and meats. Some unusual vegetarian
preparations make interesting accompaniments. Delicious
desserts finish the meal, while a special section brings
you tea-time snacks and savouries. Includes color illustrations.

Rude
Canadians: Maclean's presents eight kinds of modern jerks
In the issue hitting newsstands today, an examination of
an epidemic of incivility TORONTO, March 29 /CNW/ - Tired
of hearing cell phones ring at the movie theater? Offended
by the stench of pot while out for an urban Saturday stroll?
Ever been called fat when you were pregnant? In the issue
hitting newsstands today, Maclean's looks at the rude awakening
Canadians are suffering. For
full text click here.

World
Goa Day - 2004 This year World Goa
Day (www.goaday.com)
is being celebrated Aug 21, 22 or at times convenient to
Goan organizations based on their calendars.This
year's main theme is "JOBS FOR GOANS" - not just
in Goa but around the world. One of the most significant
issues facing the world-wide Goan community is jobs and
our economic future. There are other important issues too.
However, we should focus on this theme during the WORLD
GOA DAY celebrations. In the past, Rene and I have been
pleased with the events, but sometimes they did not have
a serious, meaningful element. For full text click
here.

Goan
Organization of America is organizing the 7th biennial GOA
convention in Toronto from July 3-5, 2004.Convention venue
in Toronto: Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conf Center.
Call the hotel at
905-639-4443 before June 1, 2004 to get the reduced rate
of $US74 per night for standard room - up to 4 adults. To
get the reduced rate mention "Goan Organization of
America".Cost to attend convention, including meals but not
hotel:
BEFORE May 15, 2004, US$139 for ages 13 & over: US$69
for ages 5-12; under 5 free.
AFTER May 15, 2004, US$150 for ages 13 & over: US$69
for ages 5-12; under 5 free.Contact: Guirish Sardesai at 905-639-7369
or email: sardesai@sympatico.ca
for more information and to register.

Health
& Wellness

Old
Age Security Benefit Rates to Increase on April 1, 2004
OTTAWA, March 26 /CNW/ - Social Development Canada today
announced that Old Age Security (OAS) benefit rates will
increase as of April 1, 2004. The basic OAS pension,
paid to people 65 years of age and over, will be $463.39
per month. This is an increase of 0.2 percent over the rate
for the previous three months. The maximum Guaranteed Income
Supplement (GIS) and Allowance payments, which are based
on the recipient's family income during the previous year,
will also increase by 0.2 percent. For full text click
here.

Canada
- Tough new energy efficiency standards help protect the
environment and save consumers money
QUEEN'S PARK, ON, March 26 /CNW/ - A regulation setting
tough new energy efficiency standards for nine products
will increase energy conservation, help protect the environment
and result in savings for consumers, Energy Minister Dwight
Duncan announced today.
"This regulation is good news for consumers and good
news for a healthier environment," said Duncan. "Efficient
energy use saves consumers money and helps keep our air
clean by reducing our reliance on coal-fired electricity
and other energy sources that generate greenhouse gases."
For full text click
here.

Want
to be in driver's seat on your mental health?
TORONTO, March 26 /CNW/ - The Canadian Mental Health Association
(CMHA), Ontario and the Ontario Psychological Association
(OPA) today launched Mental Health Tune Up 2004, a two-day
event scheduled for May 4 and 5 that brings over 80 mental
health and wellness organizations together to help everyone
build their own tool kit to handle the bumps in life's road.
The event will challenge all Ontarians to put themselves
in the driver's seat when it comes to their mental health.
For full text click
here.

Treating
Rover's arthritis
OTTAWA, March 26 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cervid Council is
pleased to announce the publication in the Canadian Veterinary
Medical Journal of a study outlining the positive effects
of elk velvet antler on arthritic dogs. For further information
on velvet antler products and their availability contact
the Canadian Cervid Council office at (613) 798-9994 or
e-mail cccinfo@deerandelkcanada.ca.
For full text click here.